that are part of this so-called fiscal cliff. republicans want to see more deficit reduction. democrats say that could come later, but this would be a smaller plan. there are really some serious differences and not a lot of time left. congress has created its own deadline to this so-called fiscal cliff and now has to live by it over the next several hours to see if something can get done. erica? >> kelly o'donnell, thank you. chuck todd is nbc's political director. kelly mentioned some constructive movement but then there's this chasm we keep hearing about. is there a chance for a deal? >> i think -- i want to say yes, there's a chance for a deal! they're not that far apart. it really depends on the political motivations of the people at the negotiating table. you think about joe biden and mitch mcconnell, mitch mcconnell is totally looking at this through a political lens, what is in the best interest of republicans in his view? from what i understand in his view he thinks what's in the best interest of the republican party is g